[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26684-26685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10640]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
[Docket Nos. FWS-R8-ES-2013-0072 and FWS-R8-ES-2013-0042; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AY10; RIN 1018-AZ70
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status
for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse
With Special Rule and Designation of Critical Habitat
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rules; notice of public hearings.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
locations and dates of public hearings to receive public comments on
the October 28, 2013, proposed listing, critical habitat designation,
and special rule for the bi-State distinct population segment (DPS) of
greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus).
DATES: We will hold two public hearings on these proposed rules. The
first will be in Minden, Nevada, on May 28, 2014, from 6:00 to 9:00
p.m. (Pacific Time), and the second will be in Bishop, California, on
May 29, 2014, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) (see ADDRESSES).
ADDRESSES:
Document availability: You may obtain copies of the proposed rules
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS Docket
No. lations.govulations.go with special rule) and Docket No. FWSDocket
No. lations.govulations.go with special rule) and Docket No.me) (see
listing, critical habitatent of Greater Sage-Grouse entura Fish and
Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Public hearing: The May 28, 2014, public hearing will be held at
Carson Valley Inn, Valley Ballroom, 1627 U.S. Highway 395 North,
Minden, Nevada 89423. The May 29, 2014, public hearing will be held at
the Tri-County Fairgrounds, Home Economics Building, Sierra Street and
Fair Drive, Bishop, CA 93514. People needing reasonable accommodations
in order to attend and participate in either public hearing should
contact Edward D. Koch, State Supervisor, Nevada Fish and Wildlife
Office, as soon as possible (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the proposed
listing rule, proposed special rule, and proposed critical habitat
designation, contact Edward D. Koch, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial
Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502; telephone 775-861-6300; or
facsimile 775-861-6301. Persons who use a telecommunications device for
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On October 28, 2013, we published a proposed rule to list the bi-
State DPS of greater sage-grouse in California and Nevada as a
threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(Act) (78 FR 64358), with a special rule under section 4(d) of the Act.
We concurrently published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat
(78 FR 64328). For a description of previous Federal actions concerning
the bi-State DPS, please refer to the October 28, 2013, proposed rules.
Both proposed rules opened a 60-day comment period scheduled to end
December 27, 2013; however, we
[[Page 26685]]
received requests to extend the public comment periods on the proposed
rules. In response to those requests, we announced on December 20,
2013, an extension of the comment periods for an additional 45 days (78
FR 77087) to February 10, 2014, to allow additional comment. On April
8, 2014 we announced the reopening of another comment period for 60
days (79 FR 19314) to June 9, 2014; that document also announced a 6-
month extension for a final determination on the proposed listing rule
to occur no later than April 28, 2015.
We are holding public hearings to provide interested parties an
opportunity to present verbal testimony (formal, oral comments) or
written comments regarding the proposals. A public hearing is a forum
for accepting formal verbal testimony. Anyone wishing to testify
verbally at the public hearings for the record is encouraged to also
provide a written copy of their statement to us at the hearings. In the
event of a large attendance, the time allotted for verbal testimony may
be limited. Speakers can sign up at the hearings if they desire to make
a verbal statement. Oral and written statements receive equal
consideration. There are no limits on the length of written comments
submitted to us.
Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to
participate in either public hearing should contact the Nevada Fish and
Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Reasonable
accommodation requests should be received at least 3 business days
prior to the hearing to help ensure that we can meet the requested
assistance.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: May 1, 2014.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2014-10640 Filed 5-8-14; 8:45 am]
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